Strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in Angola and beyond
As the new year begins, Angola faces a distressing surge in cholera cases [1] . On January 8, 2025, the Ministry of Health officially declared an outbreak. By February 4, a total of 2,069 suspected cases and 404 confirmed cases had been documented, with 70 deaths reported accounting for a case fata...
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African Field Epidemiology Network
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://afenet-journal.org/strengthening-climate-and-health-adaptation-strategies-to-combat-cholera-in-angola-and-beyond-letter-to-the-editor/ |
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| author | Abdulrakib Abdulrahim Valdemiro Amilton Rafael Bashar Haruna Gulumbe Victor Abiola Adepoju Safayet Jamil |
| author_facet | Abdulrakib Abdulrahim Valdemiro Amilton Rafael Bashar Haruna Gulumbe Victor Abiola Adepoju Safayet Jamil |
| author_sort | Abdulrakib Abdulrahim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As the new year begins, Angola faces a distressing surge in cholera cases [1]
. On January 8, 2025, the Ministry of Health officially declared an outbreak. By February 4, a total of 2,069 suspected cases and 404 confirmed cases had been documented, with 70 deaths reported accounting for a case fatality rate of 3.4% across eight of the country’s 18 provinces [1]
,[2]
. This number of fatalities has surpassed the last major outbreaks in 2016 and 2017, which claimed a total of 11 lives [3]
. Luanda, the capital, recorded the highest morbidity and mortality, with 1,124 cases and 40 deaths (Table 1) [2]
. This outbreak has been linked to poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and overburdened healthcare systems. Flooding has also been identified as a risk factor that further exacerbates the transmission of the infection during this outbreak, with children and women being the most affected populations [1]
,[4]
. Therefore, this letter highlights the urgent need to build climate-resilient environments and healthcare systems, with a focus on mitigating flooding, improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and strengthening public health responses in Angola and across Africa.
Cholera, often referred to as a ‘disease of poverty,’ is currently classified as a disease of very high risk globally [5]
,[6]
. It is widely recognized as an epidemic in Africa, with significant numbers of cases and deaths reported each year [5]
,[7]
. This diarrheal infection is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water [3]
,[7]
. According to a recent report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 20th February 2025, 34,799 cases and 349 deaths were reported due to cholera globally between 1st January 2025 and 26th January 2025 across 19 countries. The report also highlighted that approximately one billion people are at risk of infection [5]
. Africa region had the most affected countries, accounting for 51% of the cases followed by Eastern Mediterranean region [5]
Climate change is known to exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases [8]
,[9]
. WHO identified climate change as the driver of an unprecedented surge in the numbers of cholera outbreaks across the globe [6]
. Numerous climate change-related factors such as flooding, cyclones and monsoons have been linked to an increased risk of cholera [6]
,[8]
. These risks include exposure to contaminated water sources, population displacement leading to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, and the destruction of infrastructure, such as water and healthcare systems. Africa is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which continues to worsen public health challenges in the region, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, women, and those living in poverty [8]
,[9]
. Multi-hazard early warning systems remain limited in Africa, and it is the only region where no country has demonstrated comprehensive risk assessment and management capacities [9]
. Earlier, Angola’s meteorological agency forecasted higher-than-usual rainfall for the current rainy season, which could lead to flooding. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified this issue, along with delays in accessing medical care, as one of the potential challenges during the ongoing cholera outbreak in Angola [3]
,[10]
. At this pivotal moment, there is an urgent and significant need for Africa, including Angola’s healthcare system, to build a climate- and health-resilient environment (Figure 1). This can be achieved through wide-ranging support and funding from global communities, countries, donors, and the private sector [8]
. However, this effort is complicated by growing challenges in securing support from high-income country donors. Withdrawal from climate agreements could raise significant concerns about their potential impact on coordinated efforts to address public health challenges in Africa and other parts of the Global South. These actions could leave the continent without or reduce the necessary financial and technical support to address public health challenges.
Notwithstanding, Africa needs to find ways to contain the recurring public health challenges. Authorities, including health and environmental scientists as well as disaster managers, must collaborate more closely to share ideas and strategies aimed at achieving the common goal of mitigating the cholera crisis in Africa. Similarly, funding is key in achieving this; the African region must expand its reach through partnerships with local and international organizations.
The need for public education campaigns and sensitization cannot be overemphasized. Face-to-face and social media initiatives targeting schools, religious centers, parks, and markets are needed to promote a culture of disease prevention, mitigation, and response, as well as flood preparedness in both rural and urban areas. Furthermore, the need for data-driven decision-making is equally vital, as it aids in predicting, understanding, and monitoring diseases. Its cost-effectiveness and ability to generate insights quickly make it a critical tool during epidemics and emergencies [11]
. Vaccination, along with other critical cholera prevention and treatment measures such as ensuring access to rehydration therapy and improving WASH infrastructure must also be prioritized. Empowering Africa’s public health sector is crucial for building a resilient future. Together, we can lead the charge in safeguarding our communities, preventing diseases, and creating lasting health solutions for generations to come. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-26d658fdd79a4928bd17a7f2ef8d5ecb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2664-2824 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | African Field Epidemiology Network |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-26d658fdd79a4928bd17a7f2ef8d5ecb2025-08-20T03:53:47ZengAfrican Field Epidemiology NetworkJournal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health2664-28242025-04-01821https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-d-25-00054Strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in Angola and beyondAbdulrakib Abdulrahim0Valdemiro Amilton Rafael1Bashar Haruna Gulumbe2Victor Abiola Adepoju3Safayet Jamil4Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartament of Health, Joṡe Eduardo dos Santos University, Huambo, AngolaDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, NigeriaDepartment of HIV and Infectious Diseases, Jhpiego, (an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University) Abuja, NigeriaDepartment of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 6Department of Public and Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Frontier University Garowe, SomaliaAs the new year begins, Angola faces a distressing surge in cholera cases [1] . On January 8, 2025, the Ministry of Health officially declared an outbreak. By February 4, a total of 2,069 suspected cases and 404 confirmed cases had been documented, with 70 deaths reported accounting for a case fatality rate of 3.4% across eight of the country’s 18 provinces [1] ,[2] . This number of fatalities has surpassed the last major outbreaks in 2016 and 2017, which claimed a total of 11 lives [3] . Luanda, the capital, recorded the highest morbidity and mortality, with 1,124 cases and 40 deaths (Table 1) [2] . This outbreak has been linked to poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and overburdened healthcare systems. Flooding has also been identified as a risk factor that further exacerbates the transmission of the infection during this outbreak, with children and women being the most affected populations [1] ,[4] . Therefore, this letter highlights the urgent need to build climate-resilient environments and healthcare systems, with a focus on mitigating flooding, improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and strengthening public health responses in Angola and across Africa. Cholera, often referred to as a ‘disease of poverty,’ is currently classified as a disease of very high risk globally [5] ,[6] . It is widely recognized as an epidemic in Africa, with significant numbers of cases and deaths reported each year [5] ,[7] . This diarrheal infection is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water [3] ,[7] . According to a recent report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 20th February 2025, 34,799 cases and 349 deaths were reported due to cholera globally between 1st January 2025 and 26th January 2025 across 19 countries. The report also highlighted that approximately one billion people are at risk of infection [5] . Africa region had the most affected countries, accounting for 51% of the cases followed by Eastern Mediterranean region [5] Climate change is known to exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases [8] ,[9] . WHO identified climate change as the driver of an unprecedented surge in the numbers of cholera outbreaks across the globe [6] . Numerous climate change-related factors such as flooding, cyclones and monsoons have been linked to an increased risk of cholera [6] ,[8] . These risks include exposure to contaminated water sources, population displacement leading to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, and the destruction of infrastructure, such as water and healthcare systems. Africa is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which continues to worsen public health challenges in the region, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, women, and those living in poverty [8] ,[9] . Multi-hazard early warning systems remain limited in Africa, and it is the only region where no country has demonstrated comprehensive risk assessment and management capacities [9] . Earlier, Angola’s meteorological agency forecasted higher-than-usual rainfall for the current rainy season, which could lead to flooding. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified this issue, along with delays in accessing medical care, as one of the potential challenges during the ongoing cholera outbreak in Angola [3] ,[10] . At this pivotal moment, there is an urgent and significant need for Africa, including Angola’s healthcare system, to build a climate- and health-resilient environment (Figure 1). This can be achieved through wide-ranging support and funding from global communities, countries, donors, and the private sector [8] . However, this effort is complicated by growing challenges in securing support from high-income country donors. Withdrawal from climate agreements could raise significant concerns about their potential impact on coordinated efforts to address public health challenges in Africa and other parts of the Global South. These actions could leave the continent without or reduce the necessary financial and technical support to address public health challenges. Notwithstanding, Africa needs to find ways to contain the recurring public health challenges. Authorities, including health and environmental scientists as well as disaster managers, must collaborate more closely to share ideas and strategies aimed at achieving the common goal of mitigating the cholera crisis in Africa. Similarly, funding is key in achieving this; the African region must expand its reach through partnerships with local and international organizations. The need for public education campaigns and sensitization cannot be overemphasized. Face-to-face and social media initiatives targeting schools, religious centers, parks, and markets are needed to promote a culture of disease prevention, mitigation, and response, as well as flood preparedness in both rural and urban areas. Furthermore, the need for data-driven decision-making is equally vital, as it aids in predicting, understanding, and monitoring diseases. Its cost-effectiveness and ability to generate insights quickly make it a critical tool during epidemics and emergencies [11] . Vaccination, along with other critical cholera prevention and treatment measures such as ensuring access to rehydration therapy and improving WASH infrastructure must also be prioritized. Empowering Africa’s public health sector is crucial for building a resilient future. Together, we can lead the charge in safeguarding our communities, preventing diseases, and creating lasting health solutions for generations to come.https://afenet-journal.org/strengthening-climate-and-health-adaptation-strategies-to-combat-cholera-in-angola-and-beyond-letter-to-the-editor/waterborne diseaseenvironmental changeangolaafricaendemic |
| spellingShingle | Abdulrakib Abdulrahim Valdemiro Amilton Rafael Bashar Haruna Gulumbe Victor Abiola Adepoju Safayet Jamil Strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in Angola and beyond Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health waterborne disease environmental change angola africa endemic |
| title | Strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in Angola and beyond |
| title_full | Strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in Angola and beyond |
| title_fullStr | Strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in Angola and beyond |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in Angola and beyond |
| title_short | Strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in Angola and beyond |
| title_sort | strengthening climate and health adaptation strategies to combat cholera in angola and beyond |
| topic | waterborne disease environmental change angola africa endemic |
| url | https://afenet-journal.org/strengthening-climate-and-health-adaptation-strategies-to-combat-cholera-in-angola-and-beyond-letter-to-the-editor/ |
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